ISU gives old dorm furniture to poor, refugees

June 25, 2010

NORMAL, Ill. - If you're an Illinois State University alum who spent time in Watterson Towers, you might be surprised to learn your dorm furniture is helping the poor in Appalachia and remote villages in Guatemala and assisting refugees who have just arrived in America.

As part of multiyear renovations at the 28-story twin towers, more than 2,000 sets of old furniture will be replaced. Each set includes a mattress, bed frame, desk, chair and dresser: In all, about 11,000 pieces.

"That would be a lot to put in a landfill," said Maureen Blair, ISU housing director.

ISU wanted to find a better solution.

First, housing officials made pieces available to other state agencies. A few were needed here and there. But the bulk of the first 400 sets being removed this summer didn't get any takers,

said Blair.

hat's when Blair contacted John Lally of St. Anthony's Outreach Ministry, a charity based at St. Marys Catholic Church in Bloomington.

"It's really commendable ISU is not just throwing away all that furniture," said Lally, who is retired from State Farm Insurance Cos.

On Tuesday, some of the Watterson furniture found a home in a Louisville, Ky. warehouse.

There, volunteers finished two weeks of unloading two semitrailer trailers full of the ISU donations.

"At least 100, maybe 200, people will be helped by these in just the next three months," said Chris Clements, of Catholic Charities Migration and Refugee Services.

Recent refugees at the center hail from a dozen places around the globe, including Iraq, Somalia and Cuba.

"They arrive with nothing but a bag or two. First, we find them housing, and try to help furnish it," said Clements. The agency also provides clothing, and helps refugees find jobs and learn